6195 Barfield Road
Atlanta GA, 30328
United States
Over the course of the past few years, JAS Chicago has been one of the fastest growing and top performing branches within the global JAS organization. Then, in March 2020, the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting disruptions threatened to derail the results and momentum: the culmination of many years of hard work. Business continuity, especially consistency in high levels of customer service, was always goal number one, but shifting an entire office staff to a virtual work environment overnight while ensuring the safety of essential warehouse personnel was an incredible challenge.
While the immediate challenge was met head on, and successfully so, by the entire JAS organization, anxiety regarding the lingering economic impacts of the pandemic was ever-present. The challenge was now how does JAS adapt to a global industry that had essentially changed overnight. Based on the feedback of customers, JAS invested immediately into an own-controlled flight network with additional adhoc charter space to inject much needed air capacity on key trade lanes. Due to its strategic geographic location, warehouse, and airport infrastructure, Chicago became the US hub for both the trans-Pacific and trans-Atlantic flight operations.
In one month’s time, the uncertainty had begun to fade and the excitement about a new direction was taking hold. By the end of April 2020, the Chicago branch had transformed from a successful large local branch into a key strategic global gateway servicing the entire JAS network. This held its own challenges and many lessons were learned from issues that arose, but every challenge was met with hard work, determination, and an eye towards the future.
Over the following months, a continual drive to find efficiencies and improve the process and structure around the flight operations was a central focus. The JAS Chicago team knew that this would ultimately bring value to their customers while offering a differentiator in the market for future growth. Efficiencies in the warehouse were implemented in order to accommodate incredible volume growth in a limited space. Warehouse efficiencies resulted in faster turn-around times from flight arrival to final-mile delivery. High performing staff were given opportunities to grow into newly created gateway leadership roles, while no less than six other promotions within the branch were executed. New high-level talent was recruited and on-boarded that will one day grow into the future leaders within the Chicago branch and beyond.
In March of 2021, the annual USA Executive/Branch Manager meeting was held virtually. As a result of their incredible performance and impact to the JAS global network over the course of a most challenging year, it was announced that Chicago was named the JAS USA Branch of the Year for 2020. In the same meeting, it was announced that JAS Chicago would be expanding its footprint with plans to acquire additional warehouse space in the Chicago area in the very near future. These two announcements illustrate what has made JAS Chicago a true success story: utilizing the success of the past to invest in the future.
In the face of all challenges, thanks to the continued dedication and innovation of team members, JAS Chicago is able meet the needs of their customers. Especially over the last year, it is more apparent than ever, at JAS, people make the difference!
In honor of World Water Day, JAS Worldwide (JAS) and the Bruni Foundation today announced their partnership with charity: water to provide clean and safe water to those in need.
The theme of World Water Day 2023 is "Water for Life and Livelihoods," which helps highlight the importance of water for life, economic development, and the environment. The United Nations (UN) reports that 771 million people worldwide live without access to clean water, which is essential for the health and well-being of individuals and communities.
JAS, the Bruni Foundation, and charity: water are committed to making a difference in the lives of those affected by the global water crisis. The first phase of the partnership will deploy a $100,200 gift from the Bruni Foundation, which will fully fund two clean and safe water projects in India and Mozambique.
In Mozambique, this partnership will fund new community wells and handpumps across provinces in the Northeast of Mozambique and provide access to clean and safe water for more than 800 people. In India, the funds will support rainwater harvesting in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, Western India, helping to provide clean and safe water access to over 250 people.
These initiatives will make a tangible impact in the lives of those in the local communities where the projects are being funded and are just the first step in the commitment to the cause.
Throughout March, in honor of International Women's Day(March 8), we are celebrating some of the remarkable women at JAS. Today, we are honored to highlight Maria Paula Eslava, Managing Director, at JAS Colombia.
What advice would you give your younger self?
“I would tell my younger self to be fearless and to worry less about what people think of you. Be confident in your capabilities and open to learning new things every day. Believe in your power.”
How have female mentors/role models influenced your career?
“Sheryl Sandberg former Chief Operating Officer of Facebook, wrote a great book called “Lean In.” It is a very inspiring piece of work that every female leader needs to read.”
What achievement are you most proud of while working at JAS?
“I began my career at JAS as a Country Operations Manager. Over the years, I found a way to respectfully open doors, and I became the first female Managing Director at JAS. I am proud to be leading my country and making it a successful subsidiary by building a winning team on the local level and helping the company grow within the market.”
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Throughout March, in honor of International Women's Day (March 8), we are celebrating some of the remarkable women at JAS. Today, we are honored to highlight Ewa Osowska, Sales Manger, JAS Poland.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don't change anything. Be stubborn, be ambitious, and be committed. Lessons from failures can be a key to success in the future. Continue keeping your promises because trust builds business relationships that matter.
From the very beginning, I have treated work as a long-term journey. I like to learn and set ambitious goals for myself. I also like being open-minded and innovative.
When I started in November 2003 as an Airfreight Forwarder Assistant, I didn't know I would stay in the industry for the next 20 years. However, I am very happy with this choice right now. Over the years, I have had a chance to delve into the ins and outs of air freight, as well as ocean, road, and rail freight, and even contract logistics.
What achievement are you most proud of while working at JAS?
In February 2022, the eyes of the world were watching the dramatic scenes of the Russian attack on Ukraine. Poland, as a country with a direct border to Ukraine, has naturally become one of the major countries on the logistics map for building alternative supply chains for food, medications, medical kits, and all the other important equipment.
Thanks to JAS' global experience in Aid & Relief solutions, the United Nations has asked JAS to help support humanitarian efforts in Poland, a region where JAS recently expanded. Together with my colleague Salvatore Lauro, VP Regional Manager Center and South for Italy, we quickly created dedicated solutions so aid could be delivered despite the challenging situation. As a result, we were able to make food deliveries from the very beginning. I am proud of being part of it because it matters not only to me, not only to the company but to the Ukrainian people.
How do you #Embrace Equality?
It is a good question because, at JAS, people make the difference, regardless of gender, skin colour, or origin. I have not even thought about embracing equality, because it is already what I naturally do every day.
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